𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐈𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄
𝐃𝐄𝐂 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲-𝐖𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐢𝐭 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲
𝐿𝑢𝑠𝑎𝑘𝑎, 𝑇ℎ𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑑𝑎𝑦 20𝑡ℎ 𝐽𝑢𝑛𝑒, 2024.
In a complex operation carried out in Lusaka Province, the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), has arrested two individuals for possession of counterfeit notes amounting to 145,800 Zambian Kwacha, Pursuant to Section 358 of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia. The suspects, Joy Sichone, male aged 51, a resident of Zingalume Compound, and Sharon Namonje, female aged 27, a resident of Garden House, were intercepted at a Fuel Station along Mungwi Road.
The suspects intended to use the 145,800 counterfeit Zambian Kwacha to fraudulently purchase maize and soya beans from unsuspecting farmers. This matter is part of a syndicate of scammers buying maize and soya beans during evening times using counterfeit currency. Members of the general public are hereby warned to be on high alert and report any suspicious activities.
In another coordinated effort between officers from Lusaka Province and the Canine Unit, two (2) individuals have been apprehended for trafficking cocaine. The suspects involved in the illicit drug activity have been identified as; Christine Lungu, female aged 43, from Garden Chilulu Compound, who was arrested for trafficking in ten (10) rocks of cocaine. Alongside her, Sydney Njala, male aged 42, a businessman from Garden Chilulu, was also detained for trafficking in two (2) rocks of cocaine.
Simultaneously, DEC in Western Province has made significant strides in combating drug trafficking with the arrest of Mwendabai Mwendabai, male aged 25 from Nanjucha Village in Nalolo District. Mwendabai was found in possession of 2.8 Kilogrammes of loose cannabis.
In another operation, DEC in Mansa District successfully dismantled a major cannabis supply network. The notorious drug supplier who has been on the DEC Watch List, Cane Soko Kaunda, male aged 25, a businessman from Chitamba Village, was arrested following the earlier apprehension of his two (2) accomplices; Brian Kyasauka, male aged 17 from Police Camp, and Chanda Francis, male aged 32 from Chanda Chanda Guest House. The trio have been detained for trafficking in a total of 210 sachets of High-Potency Cannabis weighing a total of 389 grammes.
Further reinforcing our commitment to eradicating drug trafficking,
DEC in Luapula Province, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, conducted an operation in Nchelenge District which led to the apprehension of two (2) suspects for trafficking cannabis. Wilson Bwalya, male aged 69, was arrested for trafficking in 27.16 Kilogrammes of suspected dry loose cannabis. Additionally, Abraham Musonda, male aged 32, was apprehended for trafficking in 7.82 Kilogrammes of dry loose cannabis. These arrests signify a critical blow to the local drug dealers and reflect DEC's relentless pursuit of drug traffickers.
All suspects involved in the above cited cases are in lawful custody, awaiting court appearances.
The DEC remains steadfast in its mission to combat drug and financial crimes, ensuring the safety and security of our communities. These recent operations demonstrate DEC's dedication to uprooting criminal networks and their illegal activities.
𝐼𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦:
Allan Tamba
Public Relations Officer
𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐄𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧